USL TO LAUNCH THIRD DIVISION LEAGUE IN 2019

USL Plans for Third-Division Professional League

The USL has released its latest initiative to develop a third-division men’s professional league set to kick off in two years. The new league will be operated with the same high level of sophistication and operational expertise that has built the USL into a widely successful and respected league.

USL Soccer News: The United Soccer League (USL) has announced plans to launch a third-division men’s professional league set to begin play in 2019.

The league will focus on launching new third-division clubs in markets that possess the resources to showcase the sport for fans, partners and the public.

“We are in a unique position to lead the sport’s next phase of growth with a proven and exciting competition model, the same which has made the USL the top Division II league in North America,” said CEO Alec Papadakis. “With elite competition and strong ownership groups providing unrivaled fan experiences, the USL will continue shaping the future of professional soccer through a third-division league, cultivating and bonding local supporters through the ‘beautiful game’ for generations to come.”

Plans for the third-division league have been in development for more than 18 months, with market discussions currently underway. Official branding for the new Division III league, as well as inaugural teams and preliminary competition format, will be announced this summer.

The new league will enjoy the benefit from the recently launched USL Productions. Developed in partnership with industry leader VISTA Worldlink, USL Productions provides all USL clubs with first class broadcast services throughout the U.S. and abroad.

Chris Rael is a reporter for GoalNation and covers youth and adult soccer.
A multimedia artist whose hobbies include camping, traveling and playing football as much as possible. Chris is based in Rotterdam, Netherlands.